Cramp while running

srobertking

Hey all! I've been regularly since thanksgiving and haven't had issues with cramps since I started. Now I'm preparing for a half-marathon in June and I've upped my mileage. Yesterday when finishing up a 5 miler I got a bad cramp in my Calf. I was reading it could be because I'm not hydrated. I drink around 12 cups of water a day so could it be from lack of electrolytes? I'm running 5 days a week and can't really afford it bust out with the sports drinks every time I go. What is the most effective to make sure I'm getting enough electrolytes?

Strokingdiction

Add sodium and potassium to your diet in addition to remaining well hydrated. You don't need sports drinks. Just salt your food and eat a banana. See if that makes a difference.

littlebirdyxx

I second the sodium, and try magnesium as well; olives in brine are great for both.

I had serious cramp problems when I did Taekwondo, then again when I started running. Tried the bananas, but actually made it worse (I already ate 1 a day, and upped to 2-3) - my friend's father said that whilst you need the potassium, too much can cause cramps as well. He suggested I go back to one a day, and eat olives instead for magnesium, and that seemed to do the trick for me. I think the salt in the brine helped me too. I avoid processed food and drink a lot of tea and water, but wasn't replenishing the salts.

srobertking

I take a potassium supplement and eat a banana or two a day. I bet salt is the issue. While losing weight I always did my best to cut down on sodium. I might try cutting the potassium supplement and see if just the banana and some extra sodium will do the trick. Thanks for the advice!